"Self Sacrifice" is my first piece using a Filipino features for the subject. If you follow my work you will see that my pieces feature women of all ethnic backgrounds as I have roots from all over the world. "Self Sacrifice" is a small window into my world as all the pieces from the series "Heaven, Earth and the In-Betweens" do. These women represent the stages and obstacles I have experienced and been tested in. This particular work is based on Matthew 16:24 "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." The woman is full of life yet set apart from the world represented by the skull. The skull represents sacrificing her fleshly desires to live a life for others. In doing so she releases the bondage of regret, shame and guilt. Her hair flowing from underneath the skull represents her liberty to live a life of honesty through baptism also represented in the water droplets. The lilies in full bloom below represent many things in different cultures but here they portray purity, modesty and a resurrection to a new life in Christ. The upside down symbol of the cross represents a sacrifice of the followers of Christ. Peter is said to have been crucified under Emperor Nero Augustus Caesar. It is traditionally held that he was crucified upside down at his own request, since he saw himself unworthy to be crucified in the same way as Jesus Christ. The two faces on the left and right in the back represent the senses that are left to only sacred purposes. The eyes appear blind as they do not see what once led them astray and the desires to do wrong have been sanctified.
"Earthly Goods"
This piece was inspired by the verse: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." Matthew 6:19 I wanted to show how futile it is to store away the goods of the earth. Even if we could store them into our physical bodies we still can not use them because our bodies grow old, they grow weak and one day our souls will no longer need them. All these things we accumulate will soon collect rust and moths. Like a moth to a flame we can be blinded by the shiny things we think will complete our lives and in the end we will be left burned or wanting more. These things can not satisfy.
This piece was inspired by the verse: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." Matthew 6:19 I wanted to show how futile it is to store away the goods of the earth. Even if we could store them into our physical bodies we still can not use them because our bodies grow old, they grow weak and one day our souls will no longer need them. All these things we accumulate will soon collect rust and moths. Like a moth to a flame we can be blinded by the shiny things we think will complete our lives and in the end we will be left burned or wanting more. These things can not satisfy.
"Heavenly Treasures"
Our treasures are eternal... The love we have for others last beyond a lifetime and this piece is about building unity and community through love. The Kingdom of God is represented by the windows and buildings forming in her hair. Wisdom is best represented by the ability to keep and nourish the relationships around you. The importance is shown by the pearls in her hair. This piece derives from the scripture: "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:20-21 Her heart bursts with light as a light to the world to be called out of darkness.
Our treasures are eternal... The love we have for others last beyond a lifetime and this piece is about building unity and community through love. The Kingdom of God is represented by the windows and buildings forming in her hair. Wisdom is best represented by the ability to keep and nourish the relationships around you. The importance is shown by the pearls in her hair. This piece derives from the scripture: "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:20-21 Her heart bursts with light as a light to the world to be called out of darkness.
